Solbakken rows in behind Norway squad spirit after epic Brazil win

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey : Norway coach Stale Solbakken paid tribute to his squad after an energy-sapping, nerve-jangling 2-1 win over Brazil on Sunday that sent them into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time where they will face co-hosts Mexico or England. 

Norway's rowing celebration has become ubiquitous during the tournament, but they had to navigate shark-infested waters against the Brazilians, as well as survive a late penalty from Neymar deep into stoppage time that could have capsized them. 

"This is a great group, they love being together, they train well, they help each other and protect each other. We have a strong culture and we give the opportunity to let people to be themselves and say whatever they want, and that's a very important part of the whole thing, when things go well and when things go not so well," Solbakken told reporters. 

Haaland struck both goals in a sensational 2-1 win to dump the Brazilians out of the tournament, and the selfless running of every player in red and the outstanding goalkeeping of out-of-contract Orjan Nyland set the scene for Norway's greatest win in football. 

With the job done, the fans and team did their rowing celebration, echoing the scenes of joy back home as tens of thousands of fans flooded the streets to celebrate. 

"I think that the whole nation is rowing together, and with that, I mean that we are having a great party here and in Oslo and in all the other big and small cities all the way through Norway," Solbakken said. 

"The rowing is in a way a symbol of that, and that we are all together. So I think it's great days, it's a great summer to be a fan - I think it's better to be a fan than a coach," he grinned. 

Surprisingly, it was Norway who dominated